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So you're eagerly awaiting your first piano lesson, but there's one thing missing...you need something to practice on at home!
As a savvy consumer, you hop on Amazon just as you would with any other shopping need but you find the choices overwhelming. There are small keyboards for $50 that look like toys, full size digital pianos for $1,500, and everything in between. Are there good brands and brands to avoid? Do you need all 88 keys? Should you be spending $100 or $1,000?
Let's break it down and find the right choice for you and your budget.
We'll start at the top and work our way down to the most budget-friendly option.
My top pick
This is what I play on and teach on: a Yamaha Clavinova. I've chosen it because of it's sound and touch quality. I love the wood keys on mine and I love that it looks nice in the studio but it easy to transport to another location. As a teacher, I'm thrilled when a student purchases any Clavinova model because I know they will be set up with everything they need, rather than worrying about purchasing the right stand, bench, pedal, etc. And, although there are other brands that make digital pianos in the same price range, I like Yamaha's piano replication the best.
There are many models within the Clavinova line. They start at around $2,000 and go up from there. The best way to shop for a Clavinova is at your local music store. My local store, White House of Music, has a great staff to help you choose the model that's right for you.
If you can afford it, get a Yamaha Clavinova. It will last you years and years!
Next Best Thing
If the Clavinova isn't in your reach at this time, consider another digital piano option: the Yamaha YDP144 Arius. The Arius model from Yamaha has a similar look to a Clavinova with the same portability and the advantage of no extra accessories to buy.
The Clavinova is superior in its realistic sound and touch. But the Arius makes a decent piano replacement and would last a beginning piano student well into their music career before needing an upgrade. For some novice students, this model would last them for many years.
Similar alternate options: Casio PX-870 Privia (add bench), Roland RP102 (add bench)
Other Digital Piano Options
Now we get into digital pianos build for affordability and portability. The Yamaha P125 offers an excellent realistic touch for growing pianists. Its slim profile makes it desirable for homes where space is limited. And the price is a great value for sound and touch this digital piano offers. Shown here with its custom stand and pedals, all that's needed in the way of accessories is a high quality piano bench. (See below for a suggestion)
Similar alternate options: Casio PX-S1000, Korg C1 (add bench), Kawai ES110 (add stand and bench)
Digital Piano vs Keyboard
What's the difference between a digital piano and a keyboard? Digital pianos are designed to replace a piano. They offer a realistic touch and sound for pianists and are ideal for piano lessons. Keyboards are designed to offer multiple voices, built-in drum kits, synthesizer features and other options for musicians of all types.
Can a keyboard be used for piano lessons? Yes, but understand that developing pianists will likely need an upgrade to something with a more sensitive touch as they progress.
The Yamaha YPG535 gives buyers a nice variety of features bridging the gap between digital piano and keyboard. 88 touch sensitive keys give piano students a good starter piano replacement while the display offers all the bells and whistles a curious musician could ask for. The main disadvantage to choosing the YPG535 over a true digital piano would be a less realistic touch meaning a developing pianist would need to upgrade as their repertoire progresses.
Add a bench and pedal for a complete package (see suggestions below).
Truly Budget Friendly
For those most conscious of price tag and space, the Yamaha NP32 offers a temporary, lightweight option. This little 76-key wonder will go anywhere. But if you're enrolled in piano lessons, make sure you purchase a bench, X-stand and pedal to simulate the correct height for proper piano posture (see suggestions below).
Note that this budget option is for beginning piano students only. Anyone who progresses in their piano studies beyond a year, maybe two, will require an upgrade.
Try Renting
I offer a rent-to-own option to my students that allows them to try out a quality 'rig' at home with little upfront investment. If the student progresses, monthly payments go towards the purchase of the digital piano (with stand, bench, pedal and headphones included). If piano lessons don't work out or the family decides to purchase something else, the rental items may be returned at any time.
If you local to Southeast Wisconsin, check out this rent-to-own option! If you're in another part of the globe, check with your local music store to see if they offer a similar program.
Options Less Than $300
If you are interested in piano lessons for yourself or a child, I do not recommend the 61-key or less options out there. Most teachers would agree that students will outgrow these types of keyboards within a few weeks of lessons! From the very first lesson, musical concepts like loud and soft, high and low, etc will be demonstrated. And with a non-touch sensitive, shorter keyboard students will miss out on these crucial musicianship concepts from the start! I highly recommend renting over purchasing a cheap keyboard.
Accessories
Do I really need a fancy stand? Won't an X-stand do? Well, yes. Maybe. Personally, as a pianist, I really hate playing on a keyboard of any type when it's on an X-stand. It's difficult to get just the right height (and believe me, that really makes a difference) and it's wobbly. If at all possible, purchase only the stand that was designed to attach to the digital piano or keyboard you are selecting. It is more expensive, but in my opinion, it is so worth it.
The links above all include the stand, with the exception of the budget option--the Yamaha NP32. There is no stand designed for this keyboard and it is super lightweight, so an X-stand will do in this case. I recommend the least wobbly option you can get. This double-X Yamaha stand will do.
Who needs a piano bench? Can't I just use a chair or stool? On behalf of piano teachers, everywhere...NO, please don't use a chair at your piano! There are a couple of reasons why a bench is worth the investment: (1) chairs are generally designed to help you sit back while a flat bench promotes good piano posture and allows players to adjust and slide to the perfect distance from the keys they are using, and (2) the height of the player matters greatly. Beginning pianists especially need a correct distance from the keys to the floor and from the keys to their body to ensure they are developing proper arm, wrist and hand technique. You can actually injure yourself with improper angles.
(And while we're on the topic, please no desks, beds, floors, tables, etc in place of a stand. Height matters!)
For small beginners, the budget bench option will do just fine. Teens and adults or more advanced players will benefit from a larger cushion or more stable bench. Pick the option that seems to best suit you.
Do I need a pedal? All three pedals?
Beginners will only use the damper pedal (the one on the right). In fact, even advanced pianists use only the damper pedal 99% of the time. Can you get by without a pedal as a beginning piano student? Yes, for a while. But I highly recommend purchasing a single pedal that plugs into the back of your digital piano or keyboard if it does not come with pedals attached. If your package comes with a footswitch-style square pedal, that will work for the first few months of lessons, but will need to be upgraded.
Other Questions
Um, do you work for Yamaha?? No, actually I don't! I've played on everything and other brands are good, too. But at every price point, when it comes to digital pianos anyway, Yamaha wins in my opinion! Other pianists may feel differently, but when I play on other brands I just don't get the same touch and sound as a Yamaha. I have tried to include other brands where applicable so as not to exclusively point people to buying a Yamaha, but to me, they are most realistic piano replacements for the price.
Summary
My recommendations for digital pianos and keyboards
Top pick for longterm investment
Brand/Model: Yamaha Clavinova
Price*: $1,999.99 to $5,299.99
Upgrade: potentially a lifetime instrument
Next best pick
Brand/Model: Yamaha YDP144 Arius
Price*: $1,099.99
Upgrade: estimate 7-9 years
Best pick for small spaces
Brand/Model: Yamaha P125
Price*: $854.96
Upgrade: estimate 6-8 years
Best pick for casual beginner
Brand/Model: Yamaha YPG535 Portable Grand
Price*: $619.97
Upgrade: estimate 3-4 years
Minimum for beginner
Brand/Model: Yamaha NP32 76-key Keyboard
Price*: $402.92
Upgrade: estimate 1-2 years
Alternative Option: Rent-to-own
Price*: $25.00/month
Upgrade: estimate 4-6 years
*Prices shown include all recommended accessories for even comparison. Prices are current as of 3/17/21.
If you're unsure about what option to purchase, or if you're considering a different or a used keyboard, be sure to check with your teacher before purchasing. Choosing the right investment from the start will not only save you money in the long run, but give a budding musician every advantage to explore the world of music and their own creativity freely.
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